Do you see the beauty on the other side of the gate? The brick pavers creating a place for gathering and waiting? The lovely view beyond? But we can’t reach it because of the closed gate.

We generally view gates as a means to keep the uninvited out, requiring a key or a password, and even as believers we often choose anger as a response. We feel rejected and unwanted and we lash out at *them* because of it.

When we look through the gate toward Heaven’s throne room, we catch glimpses of the beauty of God. The light surrounding Him isn’t just light we see, it’s light we feel. We can’t see Him yet, though. He’s on the other side of the gate and through the courtyard.

The thing is, with this gate, His followers already hold the key: GRATITUDE. As we stand outside the gate, we begin speaking our thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow. From the depths of our hearts we thank him for the many gifts He has given us, from a place to live to clothes on our backs to salvation and health and everything in between. As we start to speak these words, the gate swings open, allowing us entrance into God’s beautiful courtyard.

Our key to staying in that courtyard, awaiting our time in the presence of the Savior is also within us: PRAISE. Since we’re closer to Him, though not quite in His presence, we begin to speak out His attributes – Who He is. Creator of all things. Sustainer of all life. Provider. Counselor. Savior. …and the list goes on. As we speak these truths honoring our Heavenly Father, we sense His beckoning to draw near, to come to Him.

Give thanks and bless the Lord with praises. Simple tools to move from outside the gate to inside where He is.

Shall we go in?

Coffee, Bible, Journal.